10 Most Famous Castles In Poland

Among Poland's architectural monuments, castles occupy a special place. In this country, the number of them is very big, while the history of some of them has more than a century. So, let's penetrate into this topic more deeply and take a look at ten most famous castles in Poland.

10. Kwidzyn Castle, Kwidzyn (Pomeranian Voivodeship)

Kwidzyn Castle was built in the early fourteenth century. Unfortunately, its original furniture has not survived, but the interior of all rooms -including the treasury and cellars - has not suffered from the actions of people.

9. Ogrodzieniec Castle, Ogrodzieniec (Silesian Voivodeship)

Castle Ogrodzieniec is ruins of a medieval castle, located on the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. It was built by the Wlodkowski family in the fourteenth-fifteenth centuries and was repeatedly rebuilt over the centuries of its existence. The castle is located on a hill at an altitude of 515 meters and anyone can visit it.

8. Royal Castle, Warsaw

The Royal Castle in Warsaw is located at the Castle Square in the center of Old Town. Initially, it was the residence of the Dukes of Mazovia, and from the XVI century, it served as a residence of the rulers of the Commonwealth. At present, the building houses a museum which is administered directly by the ministry of culture and national heritage of Poland. The castle also hosts official receptions at the highest level and is visited by about 500,000 people every year.

7. Pieskowa Skala Castle, Sułoszowa (Lesser Poland Voivodeship)

Pieskowa Skala is a Polish castle, located 25 km North-West of Krakow, within the boundaries of the Ojców National Park in Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The castle's name comes from the limestone cliffs on which it was built.

Pieskowa Skała Castle was built by King Casimir the Great and is one of the most famous castles in Poland that represents a unique example of defensive structures designed in the Renaissance style in Poland.

6. Czocha Castle, Czocha (Lower Silesian Voivodeship)

The medieval castle of the XIII century - the location of which can be found on the banks of a picturesque lake named Leśnia - keeps many secrets and mysteries of its former owners, that is, Czech kings, knights, and other noble representatives of the ancient aristocratic families.

Initially, the castle was a stone building that later turned into a romantic palace. Over its long history, it has successfully outlived a few dozen owners, and due to the fact that all the wars of the twentieth century did not destroy it, its architectural appearance amazes with its greatness.

5. Lancut Castle, Lancut (Podkarpackie Voivodeship)

It is an old noble residence located in Lancut and is also one of Poland's official national historic monuments. Known for its luxurious interiors and a rich collection of carriages, the castle is also surrounded by a picturesque old park in the English style.

4. Moszna Castle, Moszna (Opole Voivodeship)

The castle is one of the most impressive architectural monuments in Upper Silesia. From 1866 until 1945, it was the residence of Tiele-Winckler family, and the castle-building process began in the 17th century. Now it is the center of the treatment of nervous disorders.

3. Ksiaz, Wałbrzych (Lower Silesian Voivodeship)

The castle is located in the city of Wałbrzych and is the third largest castle in Poland (after Malbork and Wawel). Throughout its history, it was repeatedly subjected to destruction.

During the Second World War, it was heavily devastated, and in the postwar period, there were various offices in the castle. However, now it is in the process of reconstruction, and a small part of it is even opened to the public.

2. Malbork Castle, Malbork (Pomeranian Voivodeship)

The castle was founded in the late 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, which is why, it was a capital of them in the 14-15 centuries. Today the castle is one of the most famous castles in Poland and is considered to be the largest medieval castle in Europe as well as is one of the largest architectural ensembles designed in the Gothic style in the world.

1. Wawel Castle, Krakow (Lesser Poland Voivodeship)

Wawel Castle is the former residence of Polish Kings located on the Wawel hill the height of which is 228 m above sea level. The area of the castle has 7040 square meters, while inside of it, there are 71 exhibition halls. In 1994, the castle was declared as a monument of history. Today, there is also a museum dedicated to the everyday life of Polish kings in the castle.